Ministry of Justice

Sentencing

baroness gould of potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance is issued to (1) judges, and (2) magistrates, relating to the length of time that should occur between conviction by the courts and the issuing of a final sentence.

lord keen of elie: The Criminal Procedure Rules require the court to pass sentence as soon as it is able to take into account the information that it needs for sentencing purposes. The information needed and the time taken to provide and consider it will depend upon the circumstances of the case.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Foreign Companies: Property

lord chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the draft bill for their proposed register of the beneficial owners of overseas companies owning property in the UK.

lord henley: On 11 December the Government published its new Anti-Corruption Strategy. In the Strategy we have committed to publish a draft bill in this session of Parliament for the establishment of a public register of beneficial ownership of overseas legal entities. The Department ran a call for evidence on this policy earlier in 2017. We will publish a response to the call for evidence early in 2018 and will also set out more detail on the timeline for publishing the legislation.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Bangladesh: Freedom of Expression

lord hussain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of press freedom and freedom of expression in Bangladesh, following reports of enforced disappearances of journalists and supporters of opposition parties in Bangladesh.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​I raised concerns about disappearances and freedom of expression during my meetings with senior government leaders in Dhaka in August, and the Minister for Asia and the Pacific did the same with the Bangladesh High Commissioner and Foreign Secretary Haque in November. The High Commission in Dhaka regularly raises the full range of our human rights concerns with the Government of Bangladesh.I am deeply concerned by the growing number of attacks against freedom of expression in Bangladesh, including those that have allegedly taken place through arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extra-judicial killings. Bangladesh remains a human rights priority country for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Bangladesh: Elections

lord hussain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Bangladesh to ensure that the elections due to be held in Bangladesh in 2018 are free and fair, following the boycott of previous elections in that country by opposition parties.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government is encouraging political parties in Bangladesh to engage in constructive dialogue and allow the Election Commission the freedom to do its important work. The Minister for Asia and the Pacific discussed the importance of free, fair and inclusive elections with members of the Awami League and Bangladesh National Party at a meeting hosted by the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh in July, with Bangladesh High Commissioner Quaunine in August and with Foreign Minister Ali in November. The High Commission in Dhaka regularly discusses these matters with the Government of Bangladesh, the main political parties, and the Bangladesh Election Commission.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Plastics: Recycling

baroness mcintosh of pickering: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce a plastic bottle deposit return scheme; and if so, whether any such scheme will be self-financing.

lord gardiner of kimble: From 2 October to 20 November an independent working group set up under the Litter Strategy for England held a call for evidence on measures to reduce littering of drinks containers and promote recycling. The focus was rigid and flexible plastic, glass or metal drinks containers that are sold sealed, and used for the sale of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, often for consumption ‘on-the-go’. This included seeking evidence on how reward and return schemes could work in England. The Working Group is due to provide advice to Ministers on potential incentives for drinks containers early in 2018. Any decisions on suitable measures to then take forward will rest with Ministers.